The Scarlet Pimpernel is the first book in a series of historical fiction novels written by Baroness Orczy. It was published in 1905. The story is set during the Reign of Terror, a bloody period during the French Revolution where presumed political enemies of France were executed via the guillotine in droves. The main character - Sir Percy Blakeney - is a featherbrained, wealthy English gentleman by day who transforms into a formidable swordsman and a quick-thinking escape artist by night. The hero and his band of gentlemen rescue aristocrats from certain death. His secret identity is known only by his close-knit team of vigilantes, The League of the Scarlet Pimpernel. He is known by his symbol, a simple flower, a scarlet pimpernel that he draws on his letters. The Scarlet Pimpernel established the "daring hero with a secret identity" concept in popular culture. We see many such characters in modern film, comics, and novels now, almost 120 years later. This beautiful reprint of the original story is unedited and unabridged, preserving this classic novel to read. It makes a wonderful gift for the action and adventure fiction fan in you life or a wonderful addition to your library of classic literature. Enjoy! Excerpt: The execution of the Princesse de Lamballe, Marie Antoinette's young and charming friend, had filled everyone in England with unspeakable horror, the daily execution of scores of royalists of good family, whose only sin was their aristocratic name, seemed to cry for vengeance to the whole of civilised Europe. Yet, with all that, no one dared to interfere. Dimensions: Original 1905 Text Classic Historical Fiction, Action & Adventure Fiction Novel Dimensions: 6x9 inches Matte Cover